How to Become a Correctional Officer in Washington D.C.

This can be an especially outstanding opportunity for people who are on the east coast of the United States, in and around Virginia, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.

The District of Columbia Department of Corrections operates correctional facilities in southeast DC, among which includes a Central Detention facility, a Correctional Treatment facility, and several halfway houses.

There could be no better time than now to apply for a Correctional Officer or Bilingual Correctional Officer position.

The salary range for a full-time correctional officer is $40,235 – $49,838.

Application Process

The District of Columbia Department of Corrections has provided an information packet that includes some very helpful information for those interested in pursuing a career with them.

Along with the basic application information on becoming a Correctional Officer, it also includes a checklist of items that you will need to complete during the application process, orientation information, background investigation and pre-screening questionnaires, job description and more. All this can be found here at the following link.

Minimum Requirements

• Must be 21 Years Old
• Must be a High School Graduate or have a GED
• Must have a current & valid driver’s license with a clear driving history
• Be able to successfully pass a Background Check
• Be able to pass a urinalysis test
• Be able to pass a Medical & Psychological Examination
• Be able to pass a Physical Fitness Examination

The physical fitness examination will include at a minimum the following tests:

• Push Ups: Must be able to complete 15-25 push-ups in 1 minute.
• Sit Ups: Must be able to complete 20-30 sit-ups in 1 minute.
• 1-Mile Run: Must be able to complete 1 mile run under the 18-minute limit.
• Stair Climb/Dummy Drag: Run up 3-4 flights of stairs while dragging 160lbs dummy for 25-30 feet in under a 1-minute.
• Pull Ups: Must be able to complete 3 full pull-ups, chin above bar. (Male)
• Dead Hang: Female applicants must be able to hang from the bar for a minimum of 1-minute.

Training

New recruits will undergo a Basic Correctional Training program (BCT) and additional specialized training.

40-Hours of in-service training is provided by the Academy for all uniformed and non-uniformed staff with inmate contact, while corrections staff that do not have daily inmate contact will receive a 16-Hour training course.

Contact Information

D.C. Dept. of Corrections

Office of Human Resource Management

1923 Vermont Avenue, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20001

Call: (206) 671-2131

Reference: www.doc.dc.gov